Author: carlwgriffingmailcom

As the winter snow blankets Kichi Sibi Trails and the year draws to a close, we reach out to you with warmth and understanding. This past year has brought its share of challenges, and we know that many in our community have faced difficult times – whether through health struggles, financial hardships, or the profound loss of loved ones. To those who have experienced such difficulties, we extend our deepest empathy and support.

Yet even in challenging times, our trails continue to offer solace and connection. They remind us that like the mighty Kichi Sibi (Ottawa River) that flows through our lands, life continues to move forward, bringing new possibilities with each passing day.

We are particularly excited to share our vision for 2025, especially the upcoming Pinesi Paddle from Deep River to Ottawa. This journey represents more than just a paddle down our historic river – it symbolizes our community’s resilience, our connection to the land, and our ability to move forward together, no matter what challenges we face.  Follow this link for further information and to potentially participate https://forms.gle/9t4JxL8HSFvHJSxw6.

For those feeling lonely during this season, remember that our community’s heart beats strongest when we reach out to one another. Whether you’re a regular on our trails or someone who’s yet to join us, know that you have a place here among friends.

As we gather with loved ones or find peaceful moments of solitude during this holiday season, let’s carry with us the spirit of hope and community that makes Kichi Sibi Trails so special. May the natural beauty that surrounds us bring comfort to those who are hurting and joy to those who seek it.

Looking ahead to 2025, we see not just a new year, but new opportunities to strengthen our bonds, support one another, and create lasting memories on our trails and waters.

Wishing you peace, health, and moments of joy this holiday season,

With deep gratitude and hope,

Members of Kichi Sibi Trails

Join up to 32 paddlers and take the paddle of a lifetime from Deep River to Ottawa between 23 June to 1 July! We hope to recruit even more Algonquin people and descendants of Chief Constant Pinesi in 2025, as well as other indigenous people, and settlers. The total cost will likely be about $500 per person. The Pinesi Paddle 2024 was a tremendous success! (Watch the documentary trailer to learn more:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEI9MC4bRYE)

As we begin planning for Pinesi Paddle 2025, we invite you to express your interest in participating as a paddler or volunteer.

We will leave Grand Chief Pinesi’s later hunting grounds west starting at Deep River and end at the hunting grounds he had in Ottawa before settlement forced him to move north. Among many other stops, paddlers will view the majestic and sacred Oiseau Rock and see its pictographs. Some may wish to start the next evening at Pembroke the next evening on the 24th but miss seeing the Rock. The Pinesi Paddle will end near his vital portage route to the Rideau River in New Edinburgh/Rockcliffe. The Pinesi Paddle 2025 will span approximately 220 km. 

If you would like to join us as a paddler or support the event as a volunteer, please complete this form:

Please note that formal registration has not yet begun. The purpose of this form is to gather expressions of interest from potential paddlers and volunteers. Those who submit this form will receive updates and registration details via email later.

For questions or more information, contact the registrar at (873) 376-6688 or pinesipaddle@gmail.com.

Kichi Sibi Trails

More on Pinesi Paddle 2025

The brigade admiral is the renowned canoeist, Max Finkelstein. Organizing the event is Kichi Sibi Trails. Wendy Jocko is its president. She is a member of the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation (AOPFN), and Pinesi is her great grandfather times six.

Besides paddling and campfires, the daily practice of the journey will include efforts towards reconciliation in meetings between the paddlers, and settlers and Algonquins now living along the Ottawa River. 

Click here to see the Documentary Trailer of the 2024 Pinesi Paddle. For interest or questions regarding 2025 Pinesi Paddle email: PinesiPaddle@gmail.com

President Wendy Jocko:

Respected board members, honored guests, and dedicated
supporters of Kichi Sibi Trails,
Welcome to our first Annual General Meeting. As we gather
here today, we stand at the confluence of ancient wisdom and
modern purpose, much like the rivers that have shaped our lands
and our stories for millennia.
This past June, we embarked on an epic journey that was more
than just a canoe trip from Oka to Ottawa. It was a pilgrimage
along the veins of our ancestors, a reconnection with the
waterways that have sustained Indigenous peoples since time
immemorial.
As we paddled, each stroke brought us closer to our mission of
revitalizing the Ancient Indigenous Trails that crisscross Ontario
and Western Quebec.
The warm welcomes we received from local officials and
communities along our route were not just gestures of
hospitality; they were affirmations of the shared vision we all
hold for these lands.
Every greeting, every shared meal, every story exchanged was a
testament to the enduring spirit of community that these trails
have always fostered.
As we reflect on this journey, we are reminded that our work is
not just about preserving paths through the wilderness.

2

Kitchi Sibi Trails-AGM Thursday 14 November 2024 at 8 p.m.
It’s about rekindling the connections between communities,
between generations, and between humans and the natural
world.
The trails we seek to revitalize are more than routes of travel;
they are lifelines of culture, conduits of trade, and bridges
between nations.
Today, as we convene our first AGM, we carry with us the
momentum of that journey, the blessings of the communities we
encountered, and the responsibility entrusted to us by our
ancestors.
We are not just trailblazers; we are trail-revivers, breathing new
life into ancient ways.
To our board members, your guidance and dedication have been
instrumental in bringing us to this milestone.
To our guests, your presence here is a recognition of the
importance of this work.
Together, we embark on a new phase of our journey – one that
will see these ancient trails not as relics of the past, but as vital
arteries for the future of our communities.
As we proceed with our meeting, let us keep in our hearts the
rhythmic splash of paddles, the whisper of wind through the
trees, and the timeless call of the rivers.
For in those sounds, we hear the voices of our ancestors, urging
us forward on this noble path.
Miigwech. Thank you all for being here. Let us begin.

A Message from Kichi Sibi Trails

On this solemn Remembrance Day, November 11th, 2024, Kichi Sibi Trails stands united in honouring the brave men and women who have served our nation. We pause to reflect on the profound sacrifices made by our veterans and those who continue to serve.

War is undeniably the most destructive and pitiless of all human activities. Its impact reverberates through generations, leaving an indelible mark on those who experience its horrors firsthand. Our soldiers, who have witnessed the harsh realities of conflict, carry these experiences with them for a lifetime.

Today, we remember not just the fallen, but all who have worn the uniform. We honour the courage, resilience, and unwavering commitment of our veterans. Their service has shaped the world we live in, and their sacrifices have secured the freedoms we often take for granted.

As we observe a moment of silence, let us contemplate the true cost of war and the enduring strength of those who have faced it. Let us also renew our commitment to peace and understanding, striving to create a world where such sacrifices are no longer necessary.

To all veterans, both past and present: We see you. We honour you. We remember you. Your service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Lest we forget.

On this day, November 8th, and every day, Kichi Sibi Trails stands in solemn recognition of the Indigenous Veterans who have served with honour and distinction. Their sacrifices, often overlooked, have been integral to the freedoms we enjoy today.

Indigenous peoples have a long and proud history of military service, dating back to the War of 1812 and continuing through both World Wars, the Korean War, and peacekeeping missions around the globe. Despite facing discrimination and systemic barriers, these brave men and women stepped forward to defend our shared lands and values.

We remember heroes like Francis Pegahmagabow, Tommy Prince, and Edith Anderson Monture, whose courage and skill in the face of adversity continue to inspire us. Their stories are woven into the fabric of our nation’s history, reminding us of the strength found in diversity and the power of unity in the face of adversity.

As we paddle the waters of the Kichi Sibi, we are reminded of the deep connection between Indigenous peoples and this land. The river, like the service of Indigenous veterans, has been a constant presence, shaping our shared history and guiding us towards a future of reconciliation and mutual respect.

Today, we call upon all Canadians to join us in honouring these veterans. Let us commit to learning their stories, understanding their sacrifices, and working towards a future where the contributions of Indigenous peoples are fully recognized and celebrated.

To all Indigenous veterans, past and present: Chi-miigwetch. Thank you for your service, your sacrifice, and your enduring spirit. Your legacy flows strong and true, like the mighty Kichi Sibi itself.

On behalf of Kichi Sibi Trails

Global News Coverage

New Edinburgh Fieldhouse

Dear Friends, relatives, veterans, knowledge keepers, elders, drummers, Chief Sarazin, MP Fortier, MPP Collard, Councillor King, honored guests.

Pijashig, kakina tanizeyegnongom, Welcome, Bienvenu, to everyone here today.

Anishinaabe Aking Ate Awso Kikina-wadji-chigun!

(This Land we are upon is the Traditional Territory of the Algonquin People)

It is a great honour and pleasure to welcome you to Algonquin Territory which has been blessed by the Creator with many gifts.

Today, we stand here together, having completed a journey that is more than just a physical voyage.

Our six-day paddle from Oka to Ottawa on the Kichi Sibi has been a journey through time, through history, through the lives of our ancestors.

Grand Chief Pinesi’s paddling journey is more than a commemorative event; it is a profound act of resurgence and reconnection for the Algonquin people.

As we paddled the same waters that our ancestors once navigated, we not only retraced the path of our forebears, but also rekindled the spiritual, cultural, and communal ties that bind us.

Utilizing our own ancient technology, the canoe, we are reclaiming our ancestral knowledge and practices.

Each stroke of the paddle in unison is a testament to our collective strength and unity, knitting us together as we move forward in harmony with the rhythm of the river.

This journey is also an opportunity for healing, for as we navigate the waters of Kichi Sibi, we are also navigating our shared history, acknowledging our past, celebrating our resilience, and looking forward to our future.

It is a journey of self-discovery and collective empowerment, fostering pride, respect, and unity among the Algonquin people.

In the act of paddling together, we are not only honoring the legacy of Grand Chief Pinesi, but also building a stronger, more connected Algonquin community.

We are reclaiming our place in history, reasserting our identity, and reestablishing our connection with the land, the waters, and each other.

In essence, we are paddling towards a more unified, resilient, and vibrant future for the Algonquin people.

As a descendant of Grand Chief Pinesi, I feel a profound connection to this land and these waters.

With each stroke of our paddles, we have retraced the routes that my ancestor once navigated, deeply intertwining our lives with the rich tapestry of our shared history.

This journey has not only been about reaching our destination, but about understanding and honouring the past.

As we have moved through these waters, we have felt the spirit of Grand Chief Pinesi and the Algonquin people with us.

Their resilience, courage, and wisdom have guided us, reminding us of the strength and dignity inherent in our heritage.

Today, as we disembark on the shores of the Kichi Sibi here at New Edinburgh Fieldhouse, which, thanks to the initiative of Cindy Parkanyi of the New Edinburgh Community Alliance, should soon become Chief Pinesi Fieldhouse in Chief Pinesi Park, we carry with us not just the memories of this journey, but a renewed sense of connection to our past.

We have been privileged to paddle in these waters, breathe in this air, and feel the spirit of the Algonquin people surround us.

To my fellow Indigenous peoples, let this journey remind us of the legacy we carry within us.

The spirit of our ancestors is alive in each of us, guiding us and giving us strength.

To the settlers who joined us on this journey, thank you for showing respect and solidarity.

By acknowledging and learning from our history, you are helping to foster a future of mutual respect and understanding.

As we stand here together today, let us remember that this is not the end of our journey, but rather a milestone.

We have much more to learn, many more stories to tell, and many more journeys to embark upon.

So let us celebrate not just our arrival, but the journey that brought us here.

Let us honor Grand Chief Pinesi and the Algonquin people, not just in our words, but in our actions, as we continue to uphold their legacy of resilience and wisdom.

I stand before you today, deeply moved and inspired by the incredible journey we have completed together.

Our paddling journey from Oka to Ottawa, in honour of Grand Chief Pinesi and the Algonquin People, was indeed a remarkable experience that will resonate in our hearts and minds for years to come.

I would like to extend my profound gratitude to everyone who contributed to the organization and realization of this extraordinary journey.

Your tireless efforts have brought us all together in a shared appreciation of the rich history and enduring spirit of the Algonquin people.

This would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of the organizers from Kichi Zibi Trails, Max Finkelstein, Jim Stone and Dr. Peter Stockdale and the support of The Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation.

Unfortunately, we did not get any grant support from any level to make this dream a reality, but it was the support of Algonquins of Pikwakanagan that kept this paddle dream afloat.

The Cities of Oka, St. Andre, Montebello and Orignal helped in different ways from plaques to reduced camping fees.

Bishop Poisson provided a plaque and landscaping at Oka, and his priests.

Notably, New Edinburgh sponsored, the drumming, and dancing, Pikwakanagan paid for their paddlers, and Innovation Seven, ADGA, Trycycle and Blaney McMurtry funded the paddle.

Chris Straka of Crichton Community Council made sure this happened in their Fieldhouse.

Your planning, your dedication, and your commitment to honoring the legacy of Algonquin Grand Chief Pierre Louis Constant Pinesi have made this epic journey possible.

To the organizers, whose vision and dedication transformed this idea into an unforgettable journey of discovery and connection, I thank you.

Your meticulous planning and unwavering commitment ensured our journey was both meaningful and safe.

To our guides and instructors, who shared their expertise and knowledge about the historic canoe routes, the Algonquin culture, and the life of Grand Chief Pinesi, thank you.

Your wisdom and guidance have enriched our understanding and deepened our respect for the Algonquin people.

To our supporters and sponsors, your generous contributions enabled this journey.

Your belief in the value of this endeavor helped bring our shared vision to life. We are sincerely grateful for your support.

We would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to the documentary photographers and videographers Mychael Kostiuk and Yi Cui, who have been following Chief Pinesi’s journey.

Your work is invaluable in helping us preserve and share this important part of our heritage. Thank you for your dedication and hard work.

And to every participant, who took part in this paddling journey, thank you.

Your enthusiasm, determination, and spirit of camaraderie have been inspirational.

The Pinesi Paddle was also about connecting with the communities that live along the river and learning their own colonial stories as partners with Indigenous people, as colonizers, and as the colonized.

We were warmly welcomed by the different mayors and citizens more than we expected, and have built a strong basis for further paddles, and Kichi Sibi Trails.

A special shoutout to Chief Greg Sarazin for joining us today, and thanks to the MP Mona Fortier, MPP Lucille Collard and Councillor Rawlson King, Crichton Community Council, Chris Straka, Merv Sarazin, Elders Jane Anne Chartrand and Doug Comegan. We appreciate your support.

We already have a good idea for what we want to do for the next 5 years.

In conclusion, this journey was not solely about retracing the ancient canoe routes.

It was a journey of connecting to our past, understanding our shared history, and honoring the indomitable spirit of the Algonquin people.

Thank you all for being a part of this remarkable journey.

It is my hope that the memories we have created and the lessons we have learned will continue to inspire and guide us in our future endeavors.

Thank you, and let us continue to paddle together, in the spirit of unity and respect.

I’iw nama’a wi nan, maaba nesemaa, minwaa n’ode’winaanin gda-bugidinimaagom.

(We offer our prayers, tobacco, and our hearts.)

Daga bih-wiidokawishnaang wii mino pimaadizeyaang.

(Please help us to live a good life.)

Sending you our love and good wishes from Algonquin Territory. Miigwetch, thank you, merci.

Ajuinata (Never Give up) Miigwetch, thank you, merci beaucoup.

Want to learn more about Rockcliffe Park’s ancient and iconic “Witches’ Rock”?

Join Dr. Peter Stockdale on Saturday, April 27 for a walking tour as he shares what members of the Kichi Sibi Trails group have learned in their recent research – as well as what mysteries still remain unanswered.

Those wishing to take part in the tour are asked to meet at the Rockcliffe Pavilion at 10 a.m. https://maps.app.goo.gl/gUmaqVtadw4iNLTi7

Also known as “Indian Rock”, Witches’ Rock is located above the 7,000-year old excavated “Portage Bay”, the starting point of an ancient portage route that is thought to have connected to the Rideau River near the modern-day St. Patrick’s Street bridge.

On the back face of the Witches’ Rock there is what appears to be an incised face (as there is also one on another rock on the opposite side of the hill).

According to articles from 1898 and 1929, “River men” describe a place of human sacrifice and a sorceress that had bewitched the betrothed of a chief’s son. People would shoot at the Rock, with a witch on a broomstick (clearly a European idea).

On the Summer Solstice, the sun sets on the Ottawa and Gatineau rivers directly across from this spot.

Anishinàbe and Maya elders and leaders have been brought to the spot and other experts have been consulted as well, as traditional knowledge about the Rock continues to be sought.

Please RSVP & join us for the tour on Saturday, April 27 – perhaps you can help us solve the mysteries of “Witches Rock”!

drpeterstockdale@gmail.com

613-852-4527